Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award – previous winners
2021 Winners
JOINT WINNERS RECOGNISED FOR RESEARCH INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD
29 October 2021
The Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA, formerly AMSRO) is pleased to announce that the Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award for 2021 has been awarded to Brian Fine, CEO Australia Online Research and Quality Online Research and Martin O’Shannessy, Partner OmniPoll.
The judging panel, which comprised of inaugural winner Darren Pennay and former Association presidents Nicola Hepenstall and Yvonne Wallis, unanimously agreed that both Brian Fine and Martin O’Shannessy had demonstrated the outstanding qualities that underpin the industry leadership award.
The Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award was introduced in 2019 in honour of Jayne who dedicated many years to our industry, particularly across governance, privacy and quality. The Award pays tribute to those leaders who have made a significant and long-term contribution to the growth, promotion and advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.
Nicola Hepenstall said “The judging panel were delighted to be able to recognise the contributions of Brian Fine and Martin O’Shannessy; two impressive and talented leaders who have given so much to our industry over many years.
Brian has played a leading role in ensuring that our online methodologies reflect the best practice principles that have been a hallmark of our industry. He has worked tirelessly over many years dedicating significant time to ensuring high standards of quality, integrity and accuracy.
While our reputation as an industry is often focused on the technical side of our work, underpinning our efforts is the strong desire to have an impact. Whether we are talking about leading political polling or evidence to inform the decision-making process around major social reforms, Martin has an impressive list of achievements.
Accepting the award, Brian Fine said, “I am particularly honoured to receive this award. The late Jayne Van Souwe was a highly respected researcher, and a colleague and friend for so many years. Those who knew her well would recall she was passionate about ensuring the quality of research and the fieldwork that underpinned it. It is essential for our industry to have data our clients can trust, and which is valid and representative. My focus over the past 20 years, and that of my team at QOR, has been an obsession with the quality and accuracy of online research.”
And Martin O’Shannessy said, “Jayne was an inspiration and a friend to so many of us and I’m proud to be part of an award that bears her name and to share this award with Brian. I am delighted to see that ADIA has retained its sense of purpose and direction over recent years and is clearly going from strength to strength under the leadership of the current board and the unassuming but highly effective Sarah Campbell as CEO.”
“The thriving research, data and insights industry that exists in Australia today has been built on the activities and efforts of individuals who have dedicated significant time, energy and expertise on behalf of the wider research community. As the industry increasingly embraces technology, digitization and automation, it is important that we recognise and value the critical contributions that our industry leaders make in guiding our transformation and ensuring our continued impact.” ADIA CEO Sarah Campbell, said.
About the Winners
Martin O’Shannessy: is a research veteran and one of Australia’s most respected and well-known pollsters. Martin has advised Australian firms, associations and government organisations in hundreds of quantitative studies for Newspoll and IRIS Research. He has maintained a perfect record in opinion polling and has provided advice in some of Australia’s most high profile, sensitive and controversial public affairs situations in recent years. He has held senior industry representative positions including the Advertising Standards Council and the Joint Industry Committee for Radio Research during the 1980s and 1990s. Martin was president of AMSRO in 2009-12 and prior to that, Vice-President in 2008.
Brian Fine: With 40+ years in market and social research, Brian Fine is a leader and innovator in the research industry. Brian was one of the original pioneers of research in the online space within Australia, helping the business market and government bodies to understand implications of the developing technologies as well as working internally to develop quality online panels.
His experience is extensive and includes having been President of AMSRO, Australian ESOMAR representative for 7 years, Chairman of STW Insights, founder of AMR Interactive and the ORU, Managing Director of JD Power Australia/NZ, Managing Director Media Metrix Australia, Managing Director of Harris Interactive Australia and Chairman of Research Panel WA. He was also Chairman of AMSRS from 1993-96 and has been a Fellow of AMSRS since 1997.
2019 Winner
DARREN PENNAY WINS INAUGURAL RESEARCH INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD
At a special ceremony held last night, the Association of Market and Social Research Organisations (AMSRO) announced Darren Pennay, Founder of The Social Research Centre (owned by the Australian National University), as the inaugural Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award winner, recognising his long-term contribution to industry, the profession and academia.
Accepting the award, Pennay said: “I’m honoured to receive this award that highlights the legacy of Jayne Van Souwe. I respected her greatly as a colleague and a person.
“While I’m honoured, the accomplishments the nominators noted were not mine alone—they reflect the exceptional quality of our team at The Social Research Centre. I’ve been fortunate to spend my career with talented methodologists and researchers who are committed to using high-quality data for positive social impact.
“Producing accurate facts has become increasingly challenging over the years as technology advances and reduced trust in government have made it more challenging to conduct surveys. Together we have worked to predict and respond to these changes, rigorously testing new methods and bringing best practices to our clients and the industry.”
Pennay has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and is also heading the Panel for the Inquiry into the Performance of the Opinion Polls at the 2019 Australian Federal Election (AMSRO Polling Inquiry).
He is an expert survey methodologist and has worked in social research and survey design since 1984. From 2010 to 2015, Pennay played a leading role in the introduction of dual-frame telephone surveys to Australia. He was also key in establishing Australia’s first probability-based online panel – Life in AustraliaTM. In 2014, he was awarded the Research Industry Council of Australia’s Research Effectiveness Award for Innovation and Methodology. He is an Adjunct Professor with the University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), a co-founder of the ANU Centre for Social Research Methods, a Fellow of the Australian Market and Social Research Society and has QPR (Qualified Practicing Researcher) accreditation.
The Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award was introduced this year to pay tribute to those professionals who have dedicated significant time, energy and expertise on behalf of the wider research community.
The award judges commented that the lineup of nominees was exceptional, with all five research industry leaders having made a significant and long-term contribution to the growth, promotion and advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.
Nicola Hepenstall, one of three judges and former AMSRO President said: “It was a real privilege to work on this project and to have such an impressive, talented group of individuals who have all given so much to our industry over many years. Of course, the decision was very close, however, in the end, it was Darren’s work in the academic space and its long-lasting impact on research around the globe that we felt should be recognised.”
For close to 30 years, AMSRO has successfully promoted and protected the research industry in Australia, including obtaining Australia’s first and only industry privacy code and obtaining research industry exemption from the ‘Do Not Call’ Register. These protections and successes could not have been achieved without the voluntary efforts of people who care not only about their own business but about the entire industry.
“The thriving research, data and insights industry that exists in Australia today has been built on the activities and efforts of individuals who, over the last 50 years, have devoted their time and energy to building businesses, lobbying government and advancing our research practices to drive the industry forward. As the industry increasingly embraces technology, digitisation and automation, it is important that we continue to recognise and value the critical contributions that our people make to ensuring that data and analyses are accurate, timely and relevant,” AMSRO Executive member, Craig Young, said.
About the Award
The Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award recognises research professionals who have made a significant and long-term contribution to the growth, promotion or advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.
The inaugural Jayne Van Souwe Research Industry Leadership Award was presented to Darren Pennay, Founder, The Social Research Centre in 2019.
This award celebrates an exceptional leader who:
- Has contributed to the growth, promotion or advancement of the Australian research, data and insights industry.
- Has made a significant contribution beyond that required in their paid employment.
- Has demonstrated the highest ethical standards.
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, such as integrity and initiative, mentoring and giving back, dedication and determination, resilience and risk-taking, and passion for innovation that has a lasting impact.
- Has held a senior position of leadership.
- Has significant experience within the research, data and insights industry sector, 10 years+.
Eligibility:
- Nominations will be accepted from individuals in current ADIA member organisations.
- All industry members (ADIA and non-ADIA) are eligible for nomination.
For further information
Contact the ADIA Secretariat:
Telephone 0460 012 092 or email admin@dataandinsights.com.au
